Roll Call Records - Before I Met Someone

From a small record label out of San Francisco, come this free Winter 2016 compilation of some of their artists.

Found on Noisetrade, a site offering up free downloads of artists promos, I enjoyed the selection here, and I think you will to.

Check it out: http://noisetrade.com/rollcallrecords/before-i-ever-met-someone-a-roll

Also seen on the Noisetrade page, here's a video for one of the tracks - Prosthetic Love by Typhoon.

The Virginmarys - Into Dust

Been a long time since I posted. Digging this new video from The Virginmarys.

Yes Nice - White washed Walls (Remix)

Hey everyone......I'm still alive and kicking. Been busy with my sister station, This is Lounge, featuring a jazz and chillout playlist.

I still like to keep in touch with the indie/alt sounds, and I'm a little late to the table regarding Yes Nice. I Shazam'd this while overhearing it somewhere.....It was so infectious, like Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, I thought it could even be a new OMD song!

I'm even impressed that these boys are Canadian! They look to be from Vancouver and Edmonton, but the above video was shot in Toronto. (Nicely done.....) Need more digging to see if this is now their homeless.

These guys may be old hat to a lot of you, but to those who are newbies to their synthpop sound, check 'em out.

Facebook

Soundcloud

Twitter

iTunes - Support these boys!

New Single from Austra!

Following the lead single release, "Home", Austra has released another track from their upcoming June 18 release, Olympia, entitles "Painful Like".

Enjoy…..



Pre-orders for Olympia can be done at Paper Bag Records site here.

Boards of Canada - Reach for the Dead

Finally, after nearly eight years, Boards of Canada gives us some new music. From the forthcoming Tomorrow's Harvest CD on Warp Records, here's a taste with the new single and video.

This is a visual treat, so go "Full Screen" for this one.

DIANA - Born Again

From the digital press release at Paper Bag Records website, they are proud and pleased to announce the signing of DIANA to their stable of artists:

The band is Toronto’s Joseph Shabason, Kieran Adams, and Carmen Elle (Paul Mathew has since joined to round out the live show). You’ll recognize members from Canadian bands such as The Hidden Cameras, Army Girls, Destroyer, and Bonjay. DIANA’s first full-length album of original music, their debut, Perpetual Surrender, will be released on August 20th, 2013 in Canada.

“Now’s the time for believing..” begins the chorus of “Born Again,” the first single from DIANA. The video was directed by Geoffrey Pugen and debuted today at Gorilla Vs. Bear.

NOTE: Be sure to click Full Screen for the full digital acid trip experience!! Totally….far out.



Coming to a venue near you….

EUROPE

May 16 - Brighton, The Great Escape @ Green Door Store
May 18 - Brighton, The Great Escape @ Digital
May 20 - London @ Cargo
May 21 - London @ Madame Jojo's
May 22 - London @ Shacklewell Arms
May 23 - Paris @ La Fleche d'Or

CANADA

June 13 - Toronto @ Horseshoe Tavern for NXNE
July 6 - Toronto @ Downsview Park, with Tegan & Sara
August 10 - Kingston @ Wolf Island Festival

US

August 30 - Detroit, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom
August 31 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln HAll
September 1 - Minneapolis, MN @Triple Rock
September 4 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
September 5 - Portland, OR @ MusicFest NW
September 10 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
September 12 - Dallas, TX @ Trees
September 13 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk
September 14 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's
September 15 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
September 17 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
September 18 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
September 19 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
September 20 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
September 22 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
September 24 - Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

…and to give you an example of what you might see, check out this clip posted on YT:

Facebook

Soundcloud

iTunes

Orchestral Manouvres In The Dark - Live!

In support of their new "English Electric" CD, OMD have released a schedule of North American tour dates. 

USA/CANADA TOUR We will be bringing the English Electric Tour to the USA and Canada. We will be touring the West Coast in April and the East Coast in July April 5 - Vancouver - Commodore Ballroom April 6 - Seattle - The Showbox @ The Market April 7 - Portland - Wonder Ballroom April 10 - Salt Lake City - The Depot April 12 - San Francisco - Regency Ballroom July 8 - Minneapolis - Varsity Theatre July 9 - Chicago - Metro July 11 - Toronto - Danforth Music Hall July 12 - Philadelphia - Union Transfer July 13 - Washington - 9:30 Club July 15 - Boston - Paradise Rock Club July 17 - New York - Terminal 5 Pre-sale for these dates begins on Wednesday 30th January. You can sign up for the pre-sale here. VIP Packages are available from the pre-sale website.

As you can see, you can sign up for pre-sale tickets through their website.

http://www.omd.uk.com/

Pirate Broadcast #017 & 018

My oh my, how time flies. My last entry was November?! Do I have to keep apologizing for not staying on top of things here?

As you may or may not know Radiojive continues to broadcast as often as is possible. Live Earl continues to seek a permanent home, running 24/7, that will continue to give you the music you want to hear, when you want to hear. If anyone out there can host, please contact me here at Radio Zazoo or directly to Live Earl Jive. It would certainly be appreciated.

Now, onto the business at hand. The Radio Zazoo Pirate Broadcast usually airs on Sunday. The time is usually up to the discretion of Monsieur Jive. If you're a regular listener, then I'm sure that you're aware of the odd Radio Zazoo Marathon, where he's played all my show back-to-back.

All the playlists are available on this blog for your convenience…..except for the last two, which I am here to correct today.

Pirate Broadcast #017

1. She's So Rad - Confetti - She's So Rad is former Red Bull Music Academy attendee Jeremy Toy and Anji Sami. Hailing from New Zealand, they create soundscapes reminiscent of early 90's shoegaze, with a hint of electronica. This is the first single from their second album, and is available as a free download here.

2. The Quiets - From Russia With Love - This Finnish surf band has been around since the mid-80's, releasing nine records. This Bond theme cover is taken from their 1989 release, entitled "More". They are about to release a new CD, their first in 10 years. Lots of things on You Tube, but very little info on the band itself.

3. The Beatles - Back In The U.S.S.R. - Couldn't resist sequeing The Quiets into this track. "Come and keep your comrade warm…." From Russia with love, and back again.

4. Kim Fowley - Motorboat - Renowned KROQ-FM DJ, musician, producer, and Sunset Strip bon vivant, Kim Fowley was virtually responsible for putting the 70's/80's L.A. music scene on the map. His ambient sexuality continues to influence the scene to this day. "Motorboat" was originally released as a 7" single, back in 1973. Click on the link to see what Mr. Fowley is up to these days. (Be sure to check out his gender-bender videos.)

5. Drake (ft. The Weeknd) - Crew Love (Shlohmo Remix) - Toronto, Canada's famous wordsmith gets the chillout makeover on this Top 40 hit. Shlohmo himself has made this remix available as a free download here. Just relax and enjoy.

6. Morten Harket & Pet Shop Boys - Listening - Released almost a year ago, this collaboration between A-Ha's lead singer and PSB combines the best of both artists. By the way, Morten/A-Ha fans are all buzzed about his latest single, "I'm The One". As a treat, enjoy the recently released video below.

Pirate Broadcast #018

1. JFK - A Tribute To Peter and the Wolf - Ripped from the CFNY 1989 Modern Rock CD, this little piece of local Toronto synthpop, utilizing samples from a children's storybook recording, was a minor sensation at the station. Little is known or written about the band. According to the blog, Raised On Canadian Radio, the band was comprised of two members - Scotsman Mark Reid and Canadian Steven Boyle. It still is a fan favourite.

2. Sally Shapiro - What Can I Do? - One can never be sad listening to the sweet, almost Italo disco, sounds out Sally Shapiro. This, her new single, will be on the Februaryrelease, on Paper Bag Records, of her album, "Somewhere Else". Be sure to have a listen to the Com Truise remix here on Soundcloud, the B-side to the CD single.

3. Biagio Antonacci - Non Vivo Più Senza Te - With a video that's garnered over 6 million hits on You Tube, this addictive, feel-good song was THE hit in Italy last summer. Forget "gangnum style", Italy danced to a different rhythm. A shootout to my daughter, living in Rome, to send this my way.

4. Wax Tailor - Heart Stop (ft. Jennifer Charles) (radio edit) - This, according to his Bio on iTunes:  The trip-hop performance moniker of one Jean-Christophe Le Saoût, Wax Tailor first emerged in the French electronica scene in 2004 (with the EP release Lost the Way), but didn't release his debut album until 2006. That debut, Tales of the Forgotten Melodies, was a hit both in France and in the United States, garnering numerous iTunes sales, as well as making quite a dent on the CMJ charts that year. In 2007, Wax Tailor returned to the spotlight with his second full-length, Hope & Sorrow. Featuring vocalist Charlotte Savary and Ursula Rucker, this second album was enough of a success to warrant a number of live shows featuring Wax Tailor and his four-piece band.  He's released three albums since, including a live performance, and his latest, "Dusty Rainbow From The Dark", from which this single is taken. Old film samples cut-&-pasted to a beat is what Wax Tailor are all about.

5. Nobby Clegg & The Civilians - Me Dad/My Old Man - Comprised of two Brit born musicians, Darrell Vickers and Andrew Nicholls, this song found success on CFNY back in the late 70's/early 80's. With a knack for comedy, they went on to write for The Tonight Show, as well as numerous other television productions. 

6. Sham 69 - Leave Me Alone - The opening track from Jimmy Pursey's band's punk concept album, That's Life, it was a no-brainer seque from Nobby Clegg's cockney'd track. From 1975 to the present day, they continue to mine that original working class punk sound that gave rise to other acts, such as The Clash. I leave you with a 1978 performance at the Reading Festival of one of the other tracks from That's Life - "Angels With Dirty Faces".

Hope you enjoyed listening on Radiojive. Don't forget to pass a few shekels his way, via Pay Pal. Help support what's costing him to bring to you free of charge.

Until next time…..

The J Awards 2012

As anyone familiar with this blog knows, I am a big fan of the Australian music scene. I don't know what it is down there - the water, the desert, the roos. Their artists are truly creative, and there is a wide diverse pool of musicians and their respective genres from which national radio station, Triple J, can pull from to broadcast.

Their promotion of indigenous artists, through their Unearthed program, offering up free downloads of unsigned talent, is second to none. This fact alone (free mp3 downloads) puts them way ahead of CBC's Radio 3's play-only artist's page offerings, in my humble opinion. (Also, is it just me, or does most Canadian indie bands lean towards a folksy, country sound? Apologies to Austra, Grimes, Crystal Castles and others of their ilk.) Back to the Unearthed program, a band's popularity is judged by the number of downloads, a surefire indication of popularity. This, of course, makes them that much more enticing to trolling record labels, or if they decide to put out their own release. Add to this, the regular rotation of many of these bands on Triple J, and you have amazing support. This recalls CFNY's New Music Search programs, and how it helped many an indie artist in the Greater Toronto Area.

The J Awards are Triple J's version of CFNY's old You-Know Awards, awarding indie and commercial acts for their talents. Unlike the You-Knows, the judging is done by committee at the station, not by the listeners. (Not for anything, they get their chance to vote at year-end for the infamous Hottest 100.)

Wanna peak into what they consider the cream of their crop in music? Click on the link to the J Awards page, and troll through the nominated acts. You will find video and audio for most, to give you an indication of the artist's sound and talent.

The J Awards 2012

Let me complete this posting with a song nominated for "Best Video". The song is called "Hands" by the band Alpine. It's a very surreal entry, so be forewarned.

It should also be noted that the winners of the J Awards will be announced at the end of November. So, stay tuned. I shall try and follow up with a timely list of the winners.

And now, Alpine......

Lana Del Rey - Ride

I felt compelled to share this. This woman is redeeming herself, in my eyes, since that infamous SNL appearance. Please revisit her past videos. They are just as creative. 

In the meantime, step into her world for ten minutes as she portrays a hooker/biker moll, as she "rides" through life, on this, her latest single.

www.lanadelrey.com

Radiojive is Alive and Rogue

You need to stay on top of things as Radiojive moves around in cyberspace. Until finding a permanent location, the Live Earl Jive has been busy searching the country for some server space.

Enjoy it while you can (maybe only for a week!) at the present location:

http://rj.937spinfm.com:80/stream.m3u

Stay tuned to Radio Zazoo for more updates. The links in the top right corner will remain unchanged until a permanent link has been created.

And please support Radiojive.com with a donation through Paypal to earljive@yahoo.com. Let's help keep the music flowing.

UPDATE - August 14, 2012:  Looks like this stream is working again, for the time being.

The Presets - Youth in Trouble

Aussie electronic duo, The Presets, unleashed a preview of their upcoming Modular Recordings fall release, Pacifica, on Triple J radio this past weekend. Youth In Trouble begins with a Moroder-ish/"I Feel Love" synth line, which carries through as the base track. Layers of effects and Julian Hamilton's Gahan-ish vocals add to the DM homage.

As an added bonus, the band and Modular are giving away a free download of "The Finger Prince & Light Year Remix" of the track, if you subscribe to the record company mailing list. Click  HERE to take advantage of this promotion.

In addition, timed to coincide with this release, is a psychedelic, kaleidoscopic video created by New York visual artist Yoshi Sodeoka. Last month, Sodeoka released a similarly effects-laden Yeasayer video for their song, Henrietta. 

Be sure to click to Full Screen for this one, as the imagery is mind blowing. This is one of those clips that needs a large scale video wall in the club to really take full advantage of the aural experience. In the meantime, just be satisfied with your computer screen.

Website

MySpace

Diamond Rings: He's Just Him

Over the past few years, Diamond Rings (aka John O'Regan) has been touted as "someone to watch" on the Toronto indie scene. His synthpop sound has grown, matured, and evolved. Yesterday, Pitchfork unveiled the release of the single and video, entitled "I'm Just Me", from his upcoming sophomore release on Secret City Records. Co-produced with Grammy-nominated Damian Taylor (Bjork, The Killers, UNKLE), the full-length album is scheduled for release later this year.

In the meantime, we have the Rings' video here, for your listening and dancing pleasure. Directed by Jared Raab, it's a return to the over-produced synth/dance videos of the 80's, complete with smoke, mirrors, and lasers, and a look and wardrobe that appears to have been ripped right from Klaus Nomi's closet - the retro-futurist costume, with the over-accentuated shoulders is a nod to the camp and kitsch of those wonderfully nascent productions.

Official Website

MySpace

Buy

Radiojive Returns!!!!!

The search for a new server has been successful. Due to certain circumstances, Radiojive had to sign off temporarily until a new virtual home for it could be found.

But the sounds are back! Click on the (revised) iPhone/iPod link in the top right corner of my blog to log on (or at the end of this article). At the time of this writing, the radiojive.com page had yet to be updated.

As humbling as it is to ask for financial assistance from listeners, I'm hoping that Earl will pass along a Paypal account we can use to help prevent the removal of Radiojive from the cyberspace airwaves again. I shall report back with any further news. People are paying for satellite radio, so why not a quality internet station like RJ.

In the meantime, enjoy the sounds of Radiojive once again.

http://69.231.122.90:8000/listen.m3u

June 26, 2012 - Seems that Radiojive.com's return was temporary, as it once again fell silent. But do not despair, The sounds of RJ will return. Stay tuned......

Cold Cave - Dark synthpop freebie

Anyone miss those darling dark/goth synthpop bands of the 80's?  Cold Cave should satify that empty hole in the dark part of you mind nostalgic for some darkwave electronica.

Recently signed to Matador, they've released a full length called Cherish The Light Years, after a few indie cassette releases over the last few years.

I wanted to bring attention to a b-side free download available from Matador. If you find yourself thinking "if this is a b-side, I wonder what they bring to their A game?", then be sure to pick up or download the new album.

Cold Cave - Believe In My Blood

For more info (and sounds), check out the band's Matador page and their MySpace page.

PEACE in our time

You can add these Birmingham, England boys to that never-ending "next big thing" list. Advance word has it that these lads are about to insinuate themselves into the iPod playlists of American teenagers very soon. A recent signing to Columbia Records shows that they are well on their way.

They were another "New Band Of The Day" back in January, in Paul Lester's Guardian column, where he compared them to a cross between Foals and Wu Lyf.  In March, they turned up on the NME's "Radar Band of The Week". Supporting acts like The Vaccines, they are part of an exciting new scene of indie rock.

You should be able to find some demo videos and independently produced things on their website. Be forewarned about a Google search - there are a few bands named Peace, or with the word "Peace" in them. But perseverance will pay off with some interesting work. In the meantime, here's a taste of the band. (Dare I say, "give PEACE a chance"?) 

Here's the video for their first single release, "Follow Baby". Enjoy.




Official site

Bandcamp

The Light The Dead See

Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and Soulsavers Interview. iTunes

M83 "Reunion" coming soon

Ting Tings - Hands (Acoustic Version)

Found this totally by accident, it was posted on You Tube in 2010. The original is in regular rotation on Radiojive. For all all the fans of the song, enjoy this beautiful, stripped-down, slowed-down, acoustic version, filmed live.

Pirate Broadcast #015 and #016

I'm Back! My schedule in life, as it has been, was a tad hectic. With my daughter visiting from Rome, free time to work on "jammin' the 'Jive" has been somewhat unavailable to me. But since she has returned, and the showcase festival season came and went, there is loads of great new music and artists to become acquainted with, alongside some (lost?) old favourites.

Pirate Broadcast #015

1. The Courtesans - Venus In Furs (2012) - Not to be confused with the other Courtesans, these girls' interpretation of the Velvet Underground's classic comes across like heroin for the ears. The drone of the original is not only intact, the benefits of modern production pumps up the bass and drums, creating a sound that would not be out of place in a Goth club. A featured piece here at Radio Zazoo, shows off the beautiful, stylized video. Hopefully, any fears that these gals may be "this year's t.A.T.u.", will be unfounded. They have yet to show us anything original, but I'm sure that will come in time. Oh, and a shout out to bassist Agnes Jones for becoming a Member of the Radio Zazoo blog!

2. Grimes – Oblivion (2012) - Already being hailed by critcs/yahoo's as "This Year's Austra", Montreal resident Claire Boucher's alias and band, Grimes, is finally getting some overdue recognition. Her innocent, high-pitched vocals create an upbeat element to the rhythm of the dark synths. Click on the link to her home page for a video of this song. Don't forget her MySpace page for more music.

 

3. Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing (Virgin Magnetic Material 2011 Remix) (1990) - Well, these boys may have some new material out that they're also touring in support of, but I thought I'd revisit this classic with a more laidback, dance beat. Dropping the maniacal original melody in exchange for a calmer, (dare I say?) respectable (?) sound was a creative inspiration for the VMM team. It may not be to everyone's taste, and some may call it sacriligious, making it a synthy dance track, but it's certainly interesting.

4. The Pale – Butterfly (1992) - Now here's one of those tracks some might consider "lost". Truth is, these guys are still pluggin' away. Check out my story in an earlier entry below re: some new music they're about to release. Twenty years later, I still find myself getting that damned chorus stuck in my head!

5. Crybaby - I Cherish The Heartache More Than The Love Lost (2012) - Attention all you Morrissey fans!!!! Stop me if you think you've heard this one before! Yes, the UK press is all over the resemblance. The Guardian's Paul Lester honoured him with their "New Band of The Day" feature on March 8. More than an ordinary tribute, singer Danny Coughlin draws from not only The Smithmaster, but crooners Orbison and Presley to round out his influences. Be sure not to confuse Danny's band with the many other Crybaby acts found around cyberspace. I believe he's the only one residing in the UK.

6. Piero Piccioni - La Decima Vittima (Take 5) (1965) - Ending off this broadcast is just a portion (faded out early) of the theme to Elio Petri's 60's sci-fi film, The 10th Victim. The Farfisa organ sound of 60's Italian soundtracks has gone from being cheesy to cool again, thanks to a growing interest in exotica and lounge.

Pirate Broadcast #016

1. Mike Oldfield - Family Man (1982) - His website may not be as up-to-date as one would like (last entry was July 2011), but then again this man is not at the top of the charts these days, unless you are looking at the New Age Top 40. Try his News Service, if you're interested in what he's currently up to. Before his modern classic, Tubular Bells, Mike 's early works (Family Man, Moonlight Shadow, Five Miles Out), with vocalist Maggie Reilly, were staples on the old 'NY.

2. Elvis Costello - Watching The Detectives (1977) - Before he became the muse anp partner of jazz pianist Diana Krall, Elvis Costello's geek punk rock persona blew away the rock world with his sardonic wit and storytelling. One such has become a punk classic. The neo noir setting of this song easily conjures up visions of Bogart and Cagney, and Hollywood pulp cinema. He's mellowed out a bit in his old age, but his lyrics are just as biting and sometimes humourous, as they are insightful. A true elder statesman of a lost era of creativity.

 

3. Right The Stars - Give It All (2012) - You've heard them in TV shows and Honda commercials, and yet, this Los Angeles-based band still maintain their street cred. Included on their follow-up to their 2010 self-titled debut, the band's 80's influence is highly visible on this track. This is most evident on their wonderful cover of the Dream Academy's "Life In A Northern Town" at their MySpace page. Check 'em out every Friday night in April at Molly Malone's in Los Angeles, if you happen to be in the neighborhood. 

4. Django Django - Default (2012) - Included on many SXSW visitors "must see" lists this year, this UK based band's single is quickly being added to playlists from Triple J, Australia to modern rock stations around North America and Europe. It's somewhat wonky, digitally altered yodel and psychedelic 60's sound makes it stand out from the sonic crowd. Original and retro. Man, dig that tambourine! Check out their Soundcloud page for various remixes of Default, amongst other tracks.

5. Pieter Embrechts - Dance Me To The End Of Love (2010) - Ok, this Belgian performer doesn't appear to have a MySpace page or an official website. The link here is to an iTunes selection. You'll usually find Pieter backed by his band, The New Radio Kings. It should be noted that he is also an actor.


6. Dr. John - Revolution - Taken from the good doctor's new release, Locked Down, we find the production of the Black Keys Dan Auerbach providing more than just a little of his bands influence. There's a certain retro sound, takin' us back to Na'luns, pre-Katrina, to the night tripper's most primal phase. I just love that farfisa at the end. Welcome back, Doc!

 

So until next time, stay tuned to the Jive for your eclectic fix of musical expression.